April 2026 — New Jersey: Spring Striper Run at Peak, Weakfish Building in the Bays. April is a spring month with water in the 50-60°F range — striped bass spring migration peaks (Chesapeake spawn, OBX surf, Raritan Bay); spring tautog. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — April 2026
Primary targets this month: Striped Bass, Tautog, Weakfish, Flounder.
Striped Bass
Striper around Raritan Bay (the spring spawning fishery), the surf from Sandy Hook through Cape May, the rips at Sandy Hook, the back bays (Barnegat, Great Bay), the LBI surf, and the offshore wrecks in fall. Live and chunked bait; bucktails and soft plastics on lighter tackle.
Tautog
Tautog (blackfish) on the inlet jetties (Manasquan, Barnegat, Beach Haven, Atlantic City), the inshore wrecks, and the offshore wrecks in cold water. Green crab is the gold standard bait; whole or half on a 4/0 octopus hook with minimal weight. Bites are subtle, sets must be sharp. Cold-water specialist — best Nov-May.
Weakfish
Weakfish on Delaware Bay, the lower Mullica River, Great Bay, and the back bays in spring. Light tackle, soft plastics on jigheads, and live grass shrimp under popping corks. Strong tidal current — concentrate on the moving water.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 50-60°F. Striped bass spring migration peaks (chesapeake spawn, obx surf, raritan bay); spring tautog. Raritan Bay striper fishing is tide-driven — outgoing concentrates fish at the rips off Sandy Hook and channel edges. Surf bite shifts with tide and time; pre-dawn and the first hour of darkness are universally strong. Manasquan and Barnegat inlets push hard on outgoing.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Striped bass migration. Watch water temperatures — 50°F triggers the spring run.
- Pre-spawn tautog peak. Best blackfish window of the year — wrecks and rocky structure.
April Outlook
Peak spring migrations — cobia (Gulf/SE), striped bass (mid-Atlantic), spawning movements everywhere.
Regulations Reminder
Flounder: 14″ minimum, 5 per day (FL). State-specific elsewhere. Striped Bass: Federal slot typically 28-31″ with state variations; verify ASMFC and state rules annually. Tautog: 15-16″ minimum, 1-4 per day depending on state and season — strictly regulated. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Brielle Bait & Tackle (Brielle, 732-528-5720); Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle (Seaside Park); Fisherman’s Den (Belmar); Surf City Bait & Tackle (LBI).
Public Boat Ramps: Cheesequake State Park (Raritan Bay), Manasquan River (numerous ramps), Forked River, Barnegat Light, Atlantic City marina district, Cape May.
Charter Fishing: $600-$900 inshore; $1,200-$2,500 canyon tuna; $700-$1,100 nearshore wrecks.
More New Jersey Resources
New Jersey Fishing Guide · New Jersey Seasonal Calendar · All New Jersey reports →
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